History of Addison County Vermont

Smith, H. P. History of Addison County Vermont: With Illustrations And Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men And Pioneers. Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & co., 1886.

Biographical Sketch of Warren D. Clark

Clark, Warren D., Addison, was born in Addison, Addison county, Vt., on August 27,1836. He was educated in the common schools of Addison, and after finishing his education he engaged in farming at his home. On July 16, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Vermont Regiment, and afterwards was in Battery B, First Artillery, and at Washington was assigned to guard duty. He went to the front under General Grant, and was at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Stroudsburg, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and was with the Army of the Potomac at the surrender of Lee. He served until the close … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ward Spaulding

Spaulding, Ward, Panton, was born in Panton, Vt., in 1859, in the old Spaulding homestead on Lake street, which property has been in the possession of the Spaulding family since before the time of the Revolutionary War, and which was owned by his grandfather and father before him. Ward Spaulding was a son of Hiram and Olive (Ward) Spaulding. She was born in Waltham, Vt., in 1819, and Hiram was born on the old homestead in 1804. They were married in 1850, and had one son born to them — Ward. Hiram’s first wife, Elizabeth Hawkins, died in 1848, leaving … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walter V. Wright

Wright, Walter V., Weybridge, was born in Cornwall, Vt., on November 16, 1857. His parents were Victor and Mariette (Foote) Wright. Victor Wright was born in Cornwall, Addison county, Vt, on July 29, 1819. He was married on October 18, 1853, to Mariette Foote, who was a daughter of Elijah Foote. Victor Wright’s father, Daniel Wright, came to this county at an early day. Victor Wright settled on the place now owned by Mr. Easton. He came to Weybridge, Vt., in the spring of 1864, and settled on the Dexter place, which is now owned by his sons, and which … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Wallace J. Thompson

Thompson, Wallace J., Vergennes, was born in Bridport, Addison county, Vt., in 1834. He was in early life a farmer, and in 1874 he engaged in the general grocery and provision trade, also dealing in butter and cheese, and still continues the management of the farm. He has been lister of his town. He was married in 1864 to Wilhelmina Preston, of Vergennes, Vt. He was a son of Julius W. and Hester A. (Bacon) Thompson, who were married in 1832. Hester was born in 1811 and died in 1874, and Julius W. was born in 1806 and died in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walker B. Field

Field, Walker B., Ferrisburgh, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1840. He has held several of the town offices; was selectman, and appointed justice of the peace by Governor Peck. He was married in 1861 to Carrie Higbie, of Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt. They have had two daughters and three sons born to them — Cora, Helen, Park, Charles, and Guy. Walker B. was a son of George and Sylvenia (Walker) Field, who were born and married in Ferrisburgh, Vt. George was a son of Benjamin and Polly Champlin Field, and Benjamin was a son of Anthony Field, who was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. Harrison Bingham

Bingham, W. Harrison, Cornwall, was born in Cornwall, Vt., on January 9, 1843. He was a son of Harris and Lucy Ann (Warner) Bingham. Harris Bingham was born in Cornwall, Vt., on April 18, 1806. He was a son of Ira Bingham. He settled on a portion of his present place, which was originally settled by his grandfather, Jeremiah T. Bingham. He built his present farm residence in 1849, and had a family of four children born to him, two of whom are now living, Lucien W. (now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio) and W. Harrison. Harris B. held many … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. G. Fairbanks

Fairbanks, W. G., Vergennes, was born in Sterling, Mass., in 1840. He was reared as a farmer’s son, but devoted a great deal of his time to his books, and became a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School in 1860, after which he became a teacher at the Farm School, Thompson Island, Boston Harbor, and in 1861 became principal of the Reform School of Massachusetts, at Westborough, Mass., and in 1869 was made general superintendent of the Vermont State Reform School, now located at Vergennes, Vt. He was married in 1863 to Margie E. Lefler, who was born at Hingham, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Tousaint Kidder

Kidder, Tousaint, Middlebury, was born in Canada on November 1, 1837. His parents were Francis and Angelique (Mahyer) Kidder. Tousaint was educated in the common schools at St. Charles, Canada, and received a fair education. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed out to learn the harness-making trade, which he served for three years, after which he worked as a journeyman in Canada until the spring of 1857, when he came to the United States and settled in Middlebury, Vt. He worked for N. Brasso for two years, and then for some years during the war he bought … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Mack

Mack, Thomas, Vergennes, was born in Waterbury, Washington county, Vt., in 1853, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1872, as a mechanic, manufacturing sash, doors, and blinds, and later he became a grocer and provision dealer. He was unfortunately burned out three times in four years, and in 1882 he embarked in the coal business, taking the old yard founded by Captain Hall. He also is a manufacturer of pure apple cider. He was a water commissioner in 1879, and one of the prudential school committee in 1876, ’77, ’78, and 1879; was one of the aldermen for 1880, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas I. Woodworth

Woodworth, Thomas I., Middlebury, was born in Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., on April 5,1810. He was educated in the common schools. At the age of twelve years, in 1822, after the death of his mother, he became a member of the family of Harvey Bell, in Middlebury, Vt.; served as an apprentice with Joseph Sargent for seven years, at the gilding trade, and also worked as a journeyman in Troy for four years. He was married on May 20, 1835, to Betsey C. Albro, of Pownal, Vt., after which he engaged in the manufacture of looking-glasses, and picture frames, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Butler

Butler, Thomas, Panton, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ireland on June 18, 1831. He came to America in 1851 and settled in Addison, Vt. He settled in Panton, Vt., in 1874 on their present homestead of 250 acres. He has made his farming life a financial success, and has one of the most productive farms in Addison county, Vt. He was married in Monkton, Vt., in 1851 to Catherine McLaughlin, who was born in Ireland on June 24, 1831. They have had four children born to them, of whom only one is now living, Edward Butler, who was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thaddeus N. Dean

Dean, Thaddeus N., Monkton, was born in Monkton, Vt., in 1816. He was married in 1842 to Phydelia Alford, of Malone, Franklin county, N. Y. They have had two children born to them: one son died when sixteen years of age and the other died in infancy. Thaddeus N. Dean was a son of Charles and Loretta (Munson) Dean. Loretta was born in Manchester, Vt., on September 4, 1786, and died in 1843. Charles was born in North Caanan, Conn., and died in 1861. He was a carpenter and builder and settled in Starksboro Vt., in 1794 with his parents, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Stiles A. Tuttle

Tuttle, Stiles A., Vergennes, was born in Monkton, Vt., in 1846, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1865. He was a farmer in early life, after which he worked as a cabinet maker, and in the year 1871 he engaged in the shade roller business for a time, and in 1883 was made general manager of the factory organization, which gives employment to from thirty-five to forty men. He was married in 1880 to Martha Collins. His parents were J. C. and Sarah (Brooks) Tuttle. J. C. Tuttle died in 1872, aged sixty-eight years, leaving five children, four of whom … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Stephen W. Field

Field, Stephen W., Ferrisburgh, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1817, and died in September, 1871. He was an extensive and successful farmer, and retired from active life in 1865. He was a prominent man of his town and held many of the town offices. He was married in 1840 to Eliza Jane Killmer, who was born at Fort Ann, Washington county, N. Y., in 1821, and was a daughter of William and Esther Killmer, who were born in Argyle, Washington county, N. Y., and died at Gouverneur, N. Y. They had a family of three children born to them, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Solomon Mead

Solomon Mead bought of Abel Wright in 1795 the farm now occupied by Azial Hamilton. From him the farm passed to Timothy Turner, Zenas Skinner, and Reuben P. Bingham. Silas Mead was located farther north on the present farm of S. S. Andrus.

Biographical Sketch of Shadrach Norton

Shadrach Norton settled in 1784 on the farm now owned by Charles Stevens. In 1787 Benjamin Hall bought of Joseph Plumb and located on the place now owned by J. M. Stevens. Three years earlier Barzillai Stickney settled on the next farm south. He was chosen constable at the organization of the town. The same year Daniel Scovel, from Cornwall, Conn., located on the farm now the home of Walter Atwood, where he died in 1813. His brother, Ezra Scovel, settled also in 1784 on the present farm of H. S. Scovel, his grandson David B. Woodruff made his pitch … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel N. Brooks

Brooks, Samuel N., Middlebury, was born in the town of New Haven, Addison county, Vt., on March 12, 1821. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Noble) Brooks. Daniel Brooks was born in Connecticut, and came to Addison county about 1810 and settled at East Mills, New Haven, where he carried on his business of wheelwright for many years. He was a resident of Middlebury, Vt., for thirty years, where he carried on his business. He had a family of three daughters and three sons; one daughter and three sons are now living. He died in 1849, and his widow died … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Miles

Miles, Samuel, Monkton, was born in Canada on January 1, 1835, and removed to Monkton with his parents in 1843. He was married in 1856 to Phebe Ann Thompson, who was born in Richmond, Chittenden county, Vt., in 1835. They have had a family of six children — Ellen E., Alfred B., Francis A., Caroline E., Edward S., and J. William. He was a son of Henry and Mary (Hagen) Miles, who were born and married in England, and settled in Canada in 1832, and in 1839 came to Addison county, Vt., where they died in 1885. They had a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Buck

Samuel Buck was born in Milford, Conn., October 29, 1767, and came to Bridport in 1790, locating upon the farm now owned by Joseph R. Crane, and afterwards kept a store where A. A. Fletcher’s house now stands. Mr. Buck, though possessed of considerable intelligence, had never been fortunate enough to have any educational advantages, and knew nothing of the science of penmanship. In making entries upon his books he used hieroglyphics of his own manufacture instead of English letters. One of his customers, it is related, upon settlement for goods, found himself charged with a cheese, which he denied … Read more